OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the relationship between anthropometric indices and the serum retinol level of children under age five years from the State of Paraíba. METHODS: This cross-sectional, population-based study measured the serum retinol level of 1,205 children to determine their vitamin A status and assessed their weight-for-height and height-for-age to determine their nutritional status. RESULTS: Stunted children aged 6 to 12 months had lower serum retinol levels than normal-height children (p=0.02). (β=34.1; p=0.04), intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (β=7.5; p=0.04), intake of omega-3 fatty acids (β=74.3; p=0.05), and cholesterol intake (β=0.4; p=0.04) were predictors of birth weight. CONCLUSION: The association between stunting and low serum retinol levels in young children shows their greater vulnerability to vitamin and growth deficits.
Growth; Vitamin A deficiency; Nutritional status; Vitamin A
